UPDATE: Alarming revelations emerge as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth‘s controversial orders come to light following a deadly naval strike on September 2. Reports from the Washington Post indicate Hegseth allegedly instructed military forces to “kill everyone” during an operation targeting a suspected drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean Sea. This shocking directive has ignited a firestorm of legal and ethical debates regarding military engagement rules.
The resurfacing of Hegseth’s remarks from a recent address to military leaders adds urgency to the situation. During his speech in September at Quantico, Virginia, Hegseth criticized “stupid rules of engagement,” asserting, “We fight to win. We also don’t fight with stupid rules of engagement.” His comments, delivered to over 800 flag officers, emphasized a push for “maximum lethality” in combat operations, raising questions about the implications of such rhetoric.
Legal experts have condemned the alleged “kill everyone” order, labeling it a potential war crime. Todd Huntley, a former military lawyer, stated that the directive “to show no quarter” would likely violate both U.S. federal law and international conflict regulations. Huntley emphasized that without a legitimate war context, targeting occupants of the suspected drug boats could be classified as “murder.”
The fallout from the September 2 strike has been severe, with the Pentagon estimating at least 80 fatalities linked to military actions in the region. U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Frank Bradley, responsible for the Joint Operational Command overseeing the strike, reportedly ordered the elimination of two survivors from the initial attack, justifying it by claiming they remained “legitimate targets.”
As scrutiny mounts from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, the Trump administration has defended the strikes, asserting the U.S. is engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” with designated terrorist organizations. This controversial stance is backed by an opinion from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, which argues that military personnel following lawful orders would not face prosecution.
Since the September strike, U.S. forces have launched at least 22 additional strikes targeting suspected drug smuggling operations in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The implications of these military actions extend beyond the battlefield, prompting urgent discussions about the moral and legal frameworks governing U.S. military engagement.
As this situation develops, the potential ramifications of Hegseth’s orders and the ongoing strikes will be closely monitored. The conversation around military ethics and legal accountability is likely to intensify, making this a critical moment in U.S. military history. Stay tuned for further updates as new information becomes available.
